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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

Click here to report a problem with this page.

 

 

Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: Barrister Leo Lucas <ngozilucas@gmail.com>
Reply-To: leo_lucas2011@yahoo.in
Date: Sat, 20 Apr 2013 09:17:53 +0100 (BST)
Subject: I wait your urgency reply.


 (THIS AUTHORITY MUST BE FILLED IN AN OFFICIAL LETTER HEADED PAPER AND RETURNED VIA EMAIL) LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY Know yes all men by these presences that, I (name in full) …... a citizen of……………………………………. Current address. ………………………………………...………………………………………………………………………………………….……....…………………………………….. Do these days appoint and authorize Messrs Leo Lucas of siege social: 112 Boulevard de las Justice, 01 BP 18457 Benin Republic, to act as my attorney. Let it be known that: 1. I am desirous of transferring a total sum of TEN MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND US DOLLARS). US Dollars only. (US$ 10, 800.000.00) from BOA BANK – Cotonun Benin Republic. 2. The remitting Bank – BOA BANK, requires me to provide from the committee of the Ministry of Economy and Finance the certificate of legality,
clearing my funds as not related to any rebel activities. 3. Due to workload and other official engagements, I will not be able to personally acquire the documents at the Ministry of Economy and Finance. I am therefore asking, authorizing and instructing the Leo and Lucas of siege social: 112 boulevard de la Justice – 01 BP 18457 Cotonou 01, Benin Republic to perfect the following on my behalf as I would have done if present: -Acquire the certificate of legality at the Ministry of Economy and Finance on my behalf, and submit it to Boa Bank to enable them transfer my funds. - Court Legalization, Normalization and Final Endorsement of every necessary documents regarding to the remittance of the aforementioned sum of TEN MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED THOUSAND US DOLLARS only. (US$ 10,800.000.00)-See to the final remittance of the said fund to my account co-ordinate as submitted to the Bank. I give this power of attorney, which is governed by the laws of the
land, with my full consent and knowledge this …………………… day of ……………………….2013. This power of Attorney expires on the day they said sum is credited into my account.I HEREUNDER SET MY HANDS / SEAL Name ……………………………………………………………………………………. Signature / Seal …………………………………………………………………………. I wait your urgency reply. Leo Lucas.

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